Deny Your Self - A Poem by Kristen Sykes

 

"Redeem me, O Lord, from the oppression of self"

It would choose being right above my mental health,

Self will have no God but miserable me

A mad captain who sinks his own ship at sea,

Oppressive tyrant of my fallen state--

Slit his selfish throat before it is too late!



"Deny your self, take up your cross, and follow Me"

Put to death my self-will if I would be free,

The battle of the ages is fought deep within

Wrestling down the sinful self until his back is pinned,

This enemy would keep me from God's abundant Life--

In my mouth God's Word, in my clenched teeth a knife!



by Kristen Sykes